The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-30
A DIPLOMATIC EPISODE.
How tho United States Won and Lost
AN Island Group.

an Island Group.
Prom sctibucr's Magazine Tor November
The King Of Denmark consented. on the
oath Of October, 1867. 10 solemn treaty
for the sale Of his West Indian islands 10
the United States. Ratification was made
by stipulation 10 b. contingent ON the
favorable vote Of the West Indian sub
jccts. The 9Th Of January was appointed
for casting the vote. The inhabitants re-
call Il now as the brightest holiday the
quaint town hiss ever Witnessed. Rcjoic-
in@ with guns and ringing bells, nc
companicd the ceremony, which was,
furthermore, chccrd and enlivcncd 10y
professions and scrnadcs. Siar-spanglcd
banners iloatcd from every roof and tower,
while In the decorations American blue
was substituted for Danish SCARLET. The
STAN and stripes waved over the cross of
Denmark, and "llail Columbia" became
10y repetition, echoed from the surround.
ing hills, ~ familiar ~ king Christian"
the Danish national hymn.
The ballot cast was declared unanimous
in favor 81 annexation Ia the United
States, them Icing but twenty-five votes
dissenting voice at st. John.
Other Independent states have adopted
the American republican system. and by
~ doing have justly claimed special right
to our Hympathy and protection. The tin,t
ease on Ucurl. however. Ia which prus-
porous. peaceful, loyal and cUniCntcd com.
munily has freely. and without prospect oi
special commercial gain, voted away IT,
al III
different rule. il that ui the Danish West
Indians voting themselves American citi-
zcns by Joyous nrramaiiun. The record
of another national conquest. 10 proud and
peaceful, doCs not exist Ia all history, and
L il incompWhcnsihlc that no response
should ever have been made 10 IL by the
nation to whom this mntchlCS tribute ui
confidence and admiration WIS ~ gratuit-
ously paid.
Denmark WIS now irrcyocahly commit
ted 81 the Transaction. and could show no
MASON for Withholding the last acts oi con-
summation.
When the news of the vote reached
Copenhagen the Rigslag ratified the trraty
without debate, and the King. on january
-, lS,S. ~ promptly signed IL.
Meantime the iicrcc political storm was
raging at Washington, and no notice WIS
taken Of the treaty recommended 10 the
consideration II the senate hy presi-
dental message weeks before. Tho inslrn.
mcnt itself lay buried IN a drawer Of Mr..
summers table, In the foreign relations
committee rnOin.
II snow known that In March. 1870,
the committee on foreign relations. senator
Sumner NJ iiS head, Endorsed the one word
adversely IN the N. Thomas treaty,
and recommended "-u~pcnsion Of action'
In rg,rl 10 H. The matter WIS never
brought before the senate. and may H.
said 10 have been 'smothend" In com.
mitire.
II has been asserted that the friendly ~.
lalions between the United Suites and
Denmark wcrr impaired from this mo-
mcnt How Gar this IA true cannot bc
known without rirc penetration into the
silent dignity With which the sturdy Dan.
ish people have bunc the bitterness of un-
aycnwsl wrong and the calm reserve
which haa characterized all intercourse be-
tween that small but indomilablo State
with America since the course Of the
United states In this transaction was fully
known and comprchendel